Minor Case is produced by Limestone Branch Distillery, which opened in 2011. This rye is named after Minor Case Beam, a member of the extended family of James “Jim” Beam who began distilling American whisky in the style today called bourbon in 1800s Kentucky. Minor Case was a master distiller at the family’s Head and Beam Distillery in the early 1880s.
Minor Case Rye is not as well known as Limestone Branch’s other major brand, Yellowstone, but it is a hidden gem. Now aged for 4 years (initially it was aged for only 2) in newly charred American White Oak barrels, it is then finished in cream sherry casks. It is non-chill filtered and made from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley.
COLOR: Light amber/copper
NOSE: Ripe red fruits including berries (cherries) with some orchard fruits (apples), dried fruits (raisins), oak/barrel notes, baking spices (like those in an apple crisp), some rye spice (drier spice & pepper), herbs (dried dill), floral notes, and light caramel with a hint of vanilla.
PALATE: The sip begins with brief fruity sweetness mixed with a hint of caramel and vanilla before the rye spice hits. The rye spice is prominent but quickly mixes and is tamed down by the return of the fruit-caramel-vanilla sweetness. There is some quick and light oak tannin bitterness on the finish. The longer the sip rolls around the palate, the more prominent the rye spice, oak tannins, and heat become. The overall profile is sweet but not cloyingly so.
FINISH: Surprisingly long (7-10 seconds)
MOUTHFEEL: Medium
VALUE: Very nice finished rye whisky for $40
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes.
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One response to “SHORT REVIEW: Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey – Sherry Cask Finished”
[…] Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey, my first rye whisky, is produced by Limestone Branch Distillery and is aged for four years, two years longer than its first incarnation, in newly charred American White Oak barrels before being finished in cream sherry casks. It is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), non-chill filtered, and made from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. […]
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